Backdrop and Revolution from Above Flashcards
Summarise the Revolution from Above
It was the parliamentary democratic forms that were instated at the end of 1918 in order to help Germany negotiate an armistice with the allies based upon President Wilson’s 14 principles.
Why was Germany in a strong position at early 1918?
Russia had undergone its Bolshevik Revolution October 1917 - throwing their government into a state of turmoil ; communists came to power and they had promised to end Russia’s involvement in the war “Peace, Land and Bread”
They signed Treaty of Brest Litovsk March 1918 so this allowed Germany to annex extensive parts of Russia and focus their military power on the Western front
Ludendorff Offensive
Spring 1918 - offensive to win the war was a failure as the supply lines and infrastructure failed AND USA entered war in 1917 brining 1 million troops to Europe by Summer of 1918 ; thus eventually replacing all of Russia’s manpower
Black Day for Germany?
8th August 1918 - 16000 German prisoners due to the counter offensive by French General Foch and the generals (only answerable to the Kaiser) were panicking - Ludendorff ordered a retreat with the public still unaware of the calamity the Germans were in ; still believed that they were winning in conquered lands
Spa Conference?
Generals met together and Ludendorff and Hindenburg both admit that Germany cannot win the war with the prospect of a uprising/Revolution seeming very realistic ; even worse as they were all wealthy aristocrats
Peace negotiations?
Ludendorff advised the Kaiser to begin peace negotiations with President Wilson of the USA who had issued his 14 principals to establishing peace ; wanted open diplomacy (no more triple entente) and Germany to be a democracy (preferred over a far left communist regime)
Prince Max Von Baden
Kaiser accepts the resignation of Chancellor (PM) Hertling and in states Prince Max Von Baden as PM on the 1st October 1918 and it was clear that there needed to be some sort of democratic reform
3rd October sends President Wilson a letter wanting peace based on the 14 principles set out BUT Wilson got mixed messages and was unconvinced as Ludendorff had fickle mindedly encouraged his men to continue with a no-surrender attitude ; he was getting mixed signals from the Germans with no actual change
Constitutional reforms?
Max Von Baden is even more urgent and forces the Kaiser to choose between a democratic nation (albeit a crippled one in all aspects) or allied controlled lands (general) - therefore he chose the chancellor and Ludendorff resigned (fleeing to Sweden)
26th October - Ludendorff resigns
27th October - Max confirms the army is under the control of the Reichstag
28th October - the ministers are now responsible and can be appointed by and are affected by the decisions made in the Reichstag - effectively turning the Kaiser into a constitutional monarch